Stapling machine



April 11, 1939. 1.. A. THOMSON STAPLING MACHINE Filed Oct. 16, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet l April 11, 19 9.- L. A. THOMSON STAPLING MACHINE Filed Oct. 16, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 11, 1939. oMso STAPLING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 16, 1936 mmmN N m% Maw m kn w RN haw N ms mw RQN NNN hm MM gwua/wbo b eroy f7. Thomson uwNN Patented Apr. 11, 1 939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE STAPLING MACHINE Leroy A. Thomson, La Crosse, Wia, assignor to Bump Paper Fastener Company, La Crosse, Wis.

Application October 16, 1936, Serial No. 106,023

Claims. (01. 1-49) This invention relates to a stapling machine the machine, readily assembled, including a pair and more particularly to a plier type stapling of jawsarranged in parallel relation during the feeding, stapling machine of the form used for stapling p ation, a a l o being p rat d stapling together a plurality of sheets of reading without creating friction to cause a smooth op- 5 matter or other elements capable of being stapled eration and comparatively inexpensive to manu- F- by the machine. facture. I

The invention has for its object to provide, in A still further object of the invention is to proa manner as hereinafter set forth, a machine of Vide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a the class referred to capable of being operated to stapling machine including a spring controlled eliminate an arced or inclined action with reupper jaw,- a stationary lower jaw and a pivoted l0 spect to several elements of the machine thereby slidable spring controlled connection between said reducing friction when the machine is operated. jaws to provide for the moving of the upper jaw A further object of the invention is to provide, in parallel relation with respect to the lower jaw in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a stapling when the machine is operated.

machine including a pair of jaws, one shiftable With the foregoing and other je t w c 15 relative to the other and with the jaws so conm y h ein f r ppeal, h nv n Consists structed, coupled and arranged to provide when of the novel construction, combination and arthe machine is operated for the jaws to be moved mngemenfi of parts W be mflre Speclficauy r in parallel relation to reduce friction. described are as fllPstrated m the vA further object of theinvention is to provide, 33 32? ggzgggi xz gg gg g 3 33253 5 20 in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a machlne that changes variations and modifications may of the class referred to so constructed and arbe rt t m h fall within s o e of the ranged to overcome an arced action when moved i 6 d c p to and during the stapling operation, Y on as A further object of the invention is to provide In the drawings 25 Figure 1 is a pe'rsp'ectlv'e view of the machine,

' m as.heremaft.er' set forth Staplmg Figure 2 is an exploded View, in perspective, of m mcludmg sprmg controllefi movaible the parts of the machine coacting to provide for Jaw havmg wmlected thereto and bodlly mmmg the anchoring of a Staple in position and intherewith COmbined Staple runway sum) and eluding arrows to indicate the direction in which Staple channel forming element a Staple runway a majority of said parts are arranged relatively element and a combined staple guide and presto each other h assembled,

.Sure, applying element and with Said jaw when Figure 3 is a'lolieitiidinal sectional view of the moved from normal positioning itself and the machin when extended,

- elements carried thereby in parallel relation with- Figure 4 is a section on line 4-4, Figure 3, 5

a lower jaw forming a part of the machine. Figure 5 is a fragmentary View in perspective A further object of the invention is to provide, of a strip of sev'erable staples, and in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a machine Figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the of the class referred to including a shiftable machine showing the parts thereof in the posi- 40 structure forming a channel for a strip of staples tion as they would appear at the end of a clinch- 40 and a guide passage or runway for a plunger. ing operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide, The machine includes a combined open botin a manner as hereinafter set forth, a stapling tom housing I! and lower handle member l'l. machine with a new and improved automatical- The housing I! comprises a front wall H, a pair ly operated feed for positioning intermittently of side walls l8, a pair of parallel spaced exten- 45 a staple in the path of a driving plunger theresio'ns Ii projecting rar'w'ardly and in depending for. relation with respect to the side walls I8, and a Further objects of the invention are to provide, pair of ears II, C extending forwardly from the I in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a stapling lower portion of the front of the extensions I9.

' machine of the class ref r d o w ch is com- The said ears are arranged below, spaced from, 50

paratively simple in its construction and ar and align with the side walls IS.- The extensions r e m n r l p th rou hly 19 are. outset with respect to the side walls l8. efficient in its use, capable of having an im- .The cars Ii, II are formed with portions 24 inset paired part thereof removed and a new one sub-' withrespect to the lower portions of the exten- 155 stituted without discarding the other parts of sinus ii. The handle member I! merges into a part of the lower ends of and is outset with respect to the extensions l9. The ears I 5, l6 have aligned openings 25. The extensions l9 are formed with aligned openings 26 arranged rearwardly of and horizontally aligning with the openings 25. The extensions |9 increase inwidth from their tops to their bottoms.

The bottom edge of the front wall ll of housing i3 is formed with a notch '|2 for the purpose of assisting in the'extraction' of any defective staples which may clog in the driver passage to be referred to. 1

Mounted on the top edges of the walls H, |8 and extensions I9 is a plate 21 for closing the top of housing l3. The plate 21 is formed with a depending flange 28 positioned at the upper marginal portions of the outer faces of the walls l8 and extensions |9.

The machine includes an upper handle member 29 formed with a pair of spaced parallel depending inversely tapered arms 3|, 32 extending between and arranged in close proximity to the extensions IS.

The arms 3|, 32 are formed on their inner faces, in proximity to their lower ends with oppositely disposed inwardly extending tubular bosses 32 for a purpose to be referred to. The bosses 32 align with the openings 26 formed in the extensions l9. The arms 3|, 32 may be termed carriers for elements of the machine to be referred to.

The handle members I1, 29 are formed with oppositely disposed lips 23, 24 respectively for the purpose of improving the appearance of the machine, as well as for arresting the hand from sliding forwardly off the handle members when closing the machine.

The machine includes a plunger 35, a lower jaw 36 and an upper jaw 16. The-plunger 35 consists of an inverted U-shaped. member 31 formed of a top 38 and a pair of sides 39, 49. The top 38 has its forward edge flush with the forward edges of the slides 39,49. The rear end edge of top 38 is spaced forwardly from the rear end edges of the sides 39, 49. The rear end edge of top 38, centrally thereof is provided with a rearwardly directed lug 4| having its free end arranged forwardly of the rear edges of the sides 39, 49. The sides of plunger 35 are formed respectively with aligned openings 42 in proximity to their forward edges, aligned openings 43 arranged in proximity to' their bottom edges and below the openings 42; aligned openings 44 substantially centrally thereof; lengthwise extending aligned rear slots 45 between the lengthwise medians and upper ends thereof; and aligned openings 46 below the slots 45. The top 38 of plunger 35, inwardly adjacent each end thereof is depressed to form a lug on its inner face. The lugs are indicated at 41, 48; Carried by the plunger 35 is a depending driver 5| of rectangular contour and of the desired thicknessand length. The driver 5| is arranged within the plunger 35 rearwardly of and in proximity to the aligned openings 42, and is of a width to snugly engage the inner faces of the plunger sides 39, 40. The driver 5| extends from the inner face of the plunger top 38 to below the bottom edges of the plunger sides 39, 40. v

The lower jaw 36 is in the form of-a receptacle closed at its front, sides and bottom and open at its top and rear. The jaw 36 is formed therein with a vertical partition 52 in proximity to its open rear. The jaw 36 includes abottom part 53, a front part 54 and a pairof side parts 55, 56. The part 53 is formed respectively with a slot 51, lengthwise thereof in proximity to the part 54 and a threaded opening 58 rearwardly of slot 51. The side parts 55, 56 have their rear terminal portions 59 inset. The partitions 52 is arranged between and intermediate the ends of the said portions 59 and constitutes an abutment for a purpose to be referred to. The partition 52 is provided with an opening 66. Formed in the noninset portions 6| of the side parts 55, 56 are aligned openings 62 and aligned openings 63 rearwardly of and of greater diameter than the openings 62. The openings 62 and 63 in a side part horizontally align, and the portions 59 of the side parts 55, 56 rearwardly of the partition 52 have formed therein lengthwise thereof aligned slots 64.

The side parts 55, 56 of the jaw 36 are arranged between the lower ends of the arms 3|, 32. The bosses 32 on such arms are revolubly mounted in the aligned openings 63 in said side parts whereby the arms are pivotally connected to jaw 36. Extending through the aligned openings 26 and the bosses 32 is a pin 33 which connects the combined housing and lower handle member, the upper handle member and the jaw 36 together. The pin 33 is fixed to jaw 36. The bosses 32 revolve on pin 33. The openings 62 align with the openings 25. Holdfast means 62 extend through openings 25, 62 for fixedly securing the ears l5, I6 to jaw 36.

The plunger 35 is positioned within the housing l3 and extends rearwardly to between the arms 3|, 32. The plunger 35 is slidably connected to the arms 3|, 32 by screws 65 fixed to said arms and extending through the aligned slots 45 in the sides of the plunger.

The machine includes a pair of upstanding forwardly inclined spaced parallel couplers 66 disposed between the arms 3|, 32. The plunger 35 is interposed between the upper ends of the couplers 66. The rear portion of jaw 36 is arranged between the lower ends of the couplers. The couplers' 66 in proximity to their upper ends are formed with inwardly extending bosses 6'! which are revolubly mounted in the openings 44 provided in the sides of the plunger 35. The couplers 66, intermediate their ends are formed with outwardly extending bosses 68 which are revolubly mounted in aligned openings 69 formed in the arms 3|, 32. The openings 69 are disposed eccentrically' of arms 3|, 32. 'Fixed to the lower ends of the couplers 66 is a horizontally movable pin 10 slidably mounted in and extended laterally from the aligned slots 64 formed in the rear portions of the side parts of thejaw 36. The pin 10 provides for slidably connecting the'couplers 66 to jaw 36 and it is arranged rearwardly of the partition 52. The position of the-pin 16 when the machine is in its normal or open position, that is to say, prior to the starting of a stapling operation is as shown in Figure 3 and which is at the forward ends of the slots 64; There is associated with the pin '39 a spring controlled means for returning the pin 79 to the forward ends of the slots 64 after a stapling operation; The slots 64 and pin 1!] cooperate for limiting the extent of the opening of the machine after the stapling operation. The said means consists of a spring controlled horizontally disposed slidable pull member formed of a pair of superimposed flat parts 12 coupled together at their rear ends by a loop or eye 12*. The parts 12 have integral with their forward ends oppositely disposed coupling parts 12*? which merge into the forward ends of superposed rearwardly directed arms 13 arranged in spaced alignment with respect to the forward end terminal portions of the parts 12. The parts 12 extend through the opening 60 in the partition 52. Encompassing the parts 12 between the coupling'parts 12 and the partition 52 is a coiled controlling spring 14 for the member 1|. The pin 10 extends through eye 12 whereby member 12 and jaw 36 are connected with the couplers 66.

The handle member 28 is moved towards the handle member I1 during the operation of stapling and owing to the manner in which the couplers 66 are connected to the arms 3|, 32 of handle member 28, the lower ends of the couplers will be moved rearwardly carrying pin 10 therewith, which in turn will pull member 1I rearwardly and compress spring 14. When pressure is relieved on handle member 28, the spring 14 will expand, pull member 1I forwardly which in turn will carry pin 10 in a like direction providing for couplers 66 acting in a manner to open the machine.

Arranged within and depending from the plunger 35 is the upper jaw 16 of the machine. The jaw 16 consists'of a channel shaped body part 11 having its sides at their forward ends inturned as at 18 to form front outer guidemeans for the driver 5|. The top edges of the sides of body part 11 are provided with inwardly extending retaining lugs 18. Formed integral with each side of the body part 11, in proximity to each end thereof is a vertically disposed hanger. The hanger at one end of each side of body part 11 isindicated at 80.. The inturned portions 18 form a front guide means for the driver 5|. The hanger at the other end of each side of the body part 11 is indicated at 8 I. Each hanger is formed with a lengthwise disposed elongated slot 82. The hangers on one side of body part 11 are arranged in parallel spaced relation to the hangers on the other side of the body part 11. The hangers 8| are arranged at the rear end of the body part 11 and each is formed with a rearwardly extending apertured lug 83. The lugs 83 are arranged in parallel spaced relation and the apertures in said lugs align. Fixed to the sides of the member 31 of the plunger 35 is a pair of pins 84, 85. The pin 84 is anchored in the openings 43 and extends through the slots 82in the hangers 80. The pin 85 is fixed in the openings 48 and extends through the slots 82 in the hangers 8| and by this arrangement the plunger 35 is normally depends from the plunger 35.

slidably connected to the jaw 16. The jaw 16 The bottom of the body part 11 of jaw 16 is formed with spaced countersunk aligned openings 81. The body part 11 of jaw 16 forms a channel 88. The hangers 80, 8| constitute guides for the plunger 35.

Mounted in the channel 88, spaced from the inturned portions 18 of the sides of body part 11 and extending rearwardly from the rear of jaw 18 is a staple supporting bar 88 formed with spaced vertical openings 80, 8|, 82 and 83. The forward end of the bar 88 forms a rear guide means for the driver 5| and opposes in spaced relation the inturned portions 18 of body part 11.

The bar 88 is of oblong contour and of the desired width, thickness and length. The openings 80, 8| and 82 in the bar 88 have their Walls screw-threaded. Countersunlcin the openings 81 formed in the bottom of body part 11 of jaw 16 are holdfast devices 84 which threadedly engage with the walls of the openings 80, 8| to fixedly secure the bar 88 within the jaw 16. The height of bar 88 is less than the height of body part 11 of jaw 16. A strip of severable staples is indicated at 85 and is slidably mounted on the bar 88.

Arranged over the strip of staples 85 is a combined spring rest and staple arrester element 86 consisting of an oblong tempered steel strip 81 having its front edge provided with a curved tongue 88 extending forwardly at a downward inclination from said edge. The free end of tongue 98 is positioned in proximity to the rear side of the driver 5|. The tongue 88 is to seat on the forward end terminal portion of the strip of staples 85 rearwardly of the driver 5| and acts to prevent the strip of staples from being raised when the driver 5| releases to normal position. The strip 81 adjacent its ends is formed with upstanding rounded lugs 88, I00 which align respectively with the lugs 41, 48 (Figure 3) respectively. Interposed between the top of plunger 35 and the strip 81, is a pair of holding springs IOI, I02 for element 86. The springs IOI, I02 at their upper ends encompass the lugs 41, 48 respectively and at their lower ends the lugs 88, I00 respectively. The element 96 is of less length than the body part of jaw 16.

Slidably mounted on and of less length than the staple supporting bar 88 is a forwardly shiftable staple feed bar I03 of inverted yoke-shaped contour having its upper face, intermediate its ends formed with a row of transverse serrations or teeth I04. The forward end of the bar I03, is positioned in abutting engagement with the rear end of the strip of staples 85 which is mounted on the supporting bar 88. The rear end of the top of feed bar I03 is-formed with an upstanding thumb or finger piece I04 to facilitate the rearward shifting of bar I03 from off of the bar 88 to enable for the mounting of a strip 85 of staples on bar 88 when desired.

The machine includes a spring controlled, pivotally mounted shifting mechanism I05 for the feed bar I03. The mechanism I05 is pivotally suspended from and extends rearwardly from the rear end of jaws 16. The mechanism I05 includes an eccentrically pivoted upstanding cam I06 of substantially triangular form having its upper end of materially less width than its lower end. The cam I06 has a forwardly directed nose I01 at the top of its front edge and a forwardly directed nose I08 at the bottom of its'front edge which normally extends into the downward path of travel of the pin 85. The cam I06 in proximity to the rear end of the nose I08 has its bottom edge formed with a stop I08 extending laterally in opposite directions from the body of the cam. The latter in proximity to its rear lower corner carries a pivot pin I Ill. The front of the cam is arranged between the lugs 83. The cam intermediate its upper and lower end and in proximity to its front edge is mounted on a pivot III carried by the lugs 83. The cam extends above and depends from the lugs 83. The controlling spring for the mechanism I05 is indicated at H2 and is of the coiled type. One end of spring II2 encompasses the nose I01. The other end of spring II2 encompasses the lug 4| and bears against the rear end of the top of plunger 35. The stop' I08 is arranged below and normally engages the lower edges of the ears 83. The mechanism 'I 05 includes a pivotally suspended shifting arm I I3 for the feed bar I03. The

arm H3 is formed with a pair of apertured ears II 3 which straddle the lower rear corner of cam I 06 and are mounted on the pivot I I0. The arm I I3 intermediate its ends bears against the lower rear corner of cam I06. The arm II3 extends forwardly and rearwardly with respect to said rear corner. The forward portion of arm I I3 is disposed at a downward inclination relative to the bottom edge of cam I06. The rear portion of arm II3 extends upwardly at a rearward inclination relative to the rear edge of cam I06. The arm H3 is arranged over and is disposed at an upward rearward inclination with respect to bar I03. The end I I3 of arm I I3 is for successive engagement with the serrations of teeth I04 for the purpose of shifting bar I03 forwardly when the plunger 35 is moved upwardly by the action of the couplers 66 and springs "II, I 02. When the plunger 35 is moved downwardly, the pins 84, 85 will move the upper jaw I6 downwardly to the extent of its downward travel carrying mechanism I05 therewith, after which plunger 35 continues to move downwardly and the pin 85 will engage the nose I08 and move cam I06 in an. anticlockwise direction compressing spring I I2. When pressure is relieved on plunger 35, the spring II2 will expand and shift cam I05 in a clockwise direction whereby arm II3 will be moved in a direction and to an extent resulting in the shifting of the staple feed her I03. which in turn will shift the staple strip to an extent for the purpose of positioning a staple in the path of the driver 5|. The clockwise movement of the cam I06 is arrested by the stop I09 engaging with the bottom edges of the ear 83.

The purpose of the aligning openings 42 in the member 31 is for the insertion of a clamp screw 52 to hold driver 5! more securely in place. The lug M on plunger 35 functions as a guide for spring H2 and also to hold the latter in place.

The machine includes a retaining element I I4 to prevent the strip of staples from falling out of the machine or being drawn back when the shifting mechanism I 05 moves to a position preparatory to act on feed bar I03 for the purpose of pushing another staple in the path of the driver 5|. The element II4 consists of a steel spring II5 of angle contour arranged below the staple supporting bar 89. The spring II5 in proximity to its rear end is provided with an opening H6. The rear end of spring I I5 is provided with an upstanding lug I IT. The forward end of spring I I5 is formedwith a vertically disposed loop II8 through which extends the staple supporting and feed bars 89, I03 respectively. The element H4 is secured to the bar 89 by holdfast means II9 threadedly engaging with the wall of the opening 92 in the staple supporting bar 83. The lug II! of element I I4 extends upwardly in the opening 93 to prevent element I I4 from turning on the holdfast means II9.

The machine includes an anvil I 20 which associates with the driver 5i for the purpose of stapling. The anvil I20 is formed in its top with a rectangular cavity I2I of the same contour as that of the bottom edge of the driver 5| and which is employed for bending inwardly the legs of the staple when the latter is forced downwardly by the driver for the purpose of stapling. The anvil I20 is arranged in the lower jaw 36 in proximity to the front 54 of the latter. The anvil I20 is bodily adjustable lengthwise of the lower jaw 36 by a retaining screw I22 .coacting with the slot 51. The screw I22 extends through the slot 51 and detachably engages in the anvil Carried by the lower jaw 36, rearwardly of the anvil I20 is a vertically disposed adjustable stop I23 for limiting the closing movement of the jaw I6 relative to jaw 36. engages with the wall of the opening 58 in the bottom 51 of and is capable of adjustment to varying distances above the jaw 36.

The driver 5I functions, when plunger 35 moves towards jaw 36 and after the closing movement of the jaw lfi has been arrested, to drive a staple down through the guide passage I24, formed by the inturned portions 18 of jaw I6 and the forward end of the staple supporting bar 89, thence through the papers to be stapled and against the bottom of the cavity in the anvil whereby the legs of the staple are forced inwardly under the papers to complete the stapling operation.

The manner of setting up the couplers 66 relative to the arms 3I, 32, plunger 35 and jaw 36, in connection with the pivotal connection between the arms 3|, 32 and jaw 36 provides for a horizontal parallel movement of the plunger 35 and jaw I6 relative to the jaw 36 when handle member 29 is moved towards handle member I! on the closing of the machine.

The upper handle member 29 has a portion thereof arranged over the rear part of the plunger 35, which in connection with the screws 65 provide for depressing the plunger in a direction towards the jaw 36 when handle member 29 is moved towards handle member H.

The springs IOI, I02 not only act as a'holding means for the element 96, but further function as controlling springs for plunger 35. In this connection, after the jaw I6 has had its movement arrested by the stop I23 on the lower jaw structure, a further downward movement of plunger 35 will compress springs IOI, I02 and when pressure has been released on plunger 35 springs I III, I02 will expand and assist in returning plunger 35 to its inactive position.

When the handle 29 is moved towards the handle I! it will swing on the lower jaw structure and move plunger 35 towards the latter to proparallel to the lower jaw structure, and the plunger during the remaining portion of its active stroke will also be maintained horizontally parallel to the lower jaw structure. The maintaining of the plunger and jaw structures in the relation aforesaid is due to the connections between the plunger and upper jaw structure and the action of the couplers pivoting on the plunger and on the arms 3|, 32 and sliding rearwardly of the couplers in the lower jaw structure. The maintaining of the plunger and jaw structures in the relation as stated reduces friction and prevents an arched or inclined action thereto during the stapling operation.

The stop I23 provides a means to permit of varying the number of sheetsor pieces of paper or other material to be stapled.

The hangers 80, 8| and pins 84, 85 coact to arrest the horizontal shifting of jaw I6 relative to plunger 35. '7

The said body part I1 and the elements of the machine carried thereby will be termed an upper jaw structure.

The receptacle 56 and the elements of the The stop I23 threadedly machine mounted thereon will be termed a lower jaw structure.

What I claim is:

1. In a stapling machine, a plunger including a driver depending therefrom, superposed, spaced upper and lower jaw structures, said upper structure for moving towards and having its movement in such direction limited by the lower structure, said upper structure including a guide passage for said driver and a staple feed means controlled from the plunger for successively positioning staples in the path ofthe driver, said lower structure including an anvil positioned in the path of the driver, said upper structure and plunger having coacting means for slidably suspending the upper structure from the plunger to provide for the plunger during a portion of the length of its active stroke bodily moving the upper structure towards the lower structure, a pair of handle members, one fixed to said lower structure, the other of said members movable towards the fixed one, bearing on and making said plunger active and being formed with a pair of arms pivoted to the lower structure, and spring controlled couplers slidably connected to said lower structure, pivotally connected to said arms and pivotally connected to said plnnger for permanently maintaining said structures in horizontal parallel relation on the movement of the upper structure towards and from the lower structure.

2. In a stapling machine, a lower jaw structure for supporting the matter to be stapled and including an anvil, a plunger shiftable upper jaw structure mounted for movement towards and having such movement limited by the lower jaw structure during the stapling operation, a plunger for shifting and slidably connected to the upper jaw structure and bodily carrying therewith a staple driverfor operating through the upper jaw structure when the movement of the latter is arrested by the lower jaw structure to coact with said anvil to complete the stapling operation, a pair of handle members, one being fixed to said lower jaw structure, the other of said members 'movable towards the fixed one to make active the plunger and including a pair of arms pivotally connected to said lower jaw structure and slidably connected to the plunger, and means slidably connected with the lower jaw structure, pivotally connected to said plunger, pivotally connected to said arms and .coacting with the latter, the said lower jaw structure and the said plunger for permanently maintaining said jaw structures in horizontal parallel relation on the movement of the upper jaw structure towards and from the lower jaw structure.

3. In a stapling machine, a lower jaw structure for supporting the matter to be stapled and including an anvil, a plunger shiitable upper jaw structure mounted for movement towards and having such movement limited by the lower jaw structure during the stapling operation, a plunger for shifting and slidably connected to the upper jaw structure and bodily carrying therewith a staple driver for operating through the upper jaw structure when the movement of the latter is arrested by the lower jaw structure to coact with said anvil to complete the stapling operation, a pair of handle members, one being fixed to said lower jaw structure, the other of said members movable towards the fixed one to make active the plunger and including a pair of arms pivotally connected to said lower jaw structure and slidably connected. to said plunger, means slidably connected with the lower jaw structure, pivotally connected to said plunger, pivotally connected to said arms and coacting with the latter, the said lower jaw structure and the said plunger for permanently maintaining said jaw structures in horizontal parallel relation on the movement of the upper jaw structure towards and from the lower jaw structure, and said lower jaw structure including means for varying the extent of the movement of the upper jaw structure towards the lower jaw structure.

4. In a stapling machine, a lower jaw structure for supporting the matter to be stapled, an upper law structure mounted for movement towards and having its movement arrested by the lower jaw structure during the stapling operation, a plunger including a staple driver for operating through the upper jaw structure when the movement of the latter is arrested by the lower jaw structure to coact with the latter to complete the stapling operation, a pair of handle members, one being fixed to said lower jaw structure, the other of said members movable toward the fixed one, engaging with the plunger for making it active and including a pair of arms pivotally connected to said lower jaw structure, and upstanding forwardly inclined couplers slidably connected with the lower jaw structure, pivotally connected to said plunger, pivotally connected to said arms and coacting with the latter, the said lower jaw structure and the said plunger for permanently inaintaining said jaw structures in horizontal parallel relation on the movement of the upper jaw structure towards and from the lower jaw structure, the pivoted connection between the couplers and plunger being arranged in proximity to the top of the plunger and the upper ends of said couplers, and the pivoted connection between the couplers and arms of the upper handle member mounted in said arms eccentrically thereof.

5. In a stapling machine, a plunger including a driver depending therefrom, superposed, spaced upper and lower jaw structures, said upper structure for moving towards and having its movement in such direction limited by the lower structure, said upper structure including a guide paw sage for said driver and a staple feed means controlled from the plunger for successively positioning staples in the path of the driver, said lower structure including an anvil positioned in the path of the driver, said upper structure and plunger having coacting means for slidably suspending the upper structure from the plunger to provide for the plunger during a portion of the length of its active stroke bodily moving the upper structure towards the lower structure, a pair of handle members, one fixed to said lower structure, the other of said members movable to wards the fixed one, bearing on and making said plunger active and being formed with a pair of arms pivoted to the lower structure, and spring controlled couplers slidably connected to said lower structure, pivotally connected to said arms and pivotally connected to said plunger for permanently maintaining said structures in horizontal parallel relation on the movement of the upper structure towards and from the lower structure, the pivoted connection between the couplers and plunger being arranged in proximity to the top of the plunger and the upper ends of said couplers, and the pivoted connection between the couplers and arms of the upper handle member mounted in said arms eccentrically thereof.

LEROY A. THOMSON. 

